Phyllis McCommons Byrne, beloved matriarch
Phyllis McCommons Byrne, 93, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at her home. Born May 12, 1931, in Elkton, Md., Phyllis was the daughter of the late Amor Perry McCommons and the late Ethel Elizabeth (Jackson) McCommons.
Phyllis was a beloved matriarch, cherished friend, and an incredible woman whose impact will forever resonate within the hearts of those who knew her. Phyllis was not only a dedicated family member but also a remarkable professional. She began working for the DuPont Company at 16. Marrying the love of her life, 2nd Lt. Thomas D. Byrne, her years as an Army wife took her to Hawaii, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, and North Carolina. Following his retirement from the Army in 1977, they moved to Arlington, Va. After years as an administrative assistant in the Pentagon, Phyllis served on President Reagan’s Office of Management and Budget staff and was an administrative assistant to Donald P. Gregg, the assistant for National Security Affairs under Vice President George H. W. Bush. Phyllis was appointed the associate irdector of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships during President George H. W. Bush’s presidency until she retired in 1992. Her career was marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for service, evident in her pioneering efforts to establish the first daycare for the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, where she and Tom were stationed.
After Tom’s retirement in 1994, they moved to their beach home in Lewes, where Phyllis served her community, volunteered for her church, served on the Delaware Symphony board of directors, was vice president of Sussex County Republican Women’s Club, served as chairwoman of Sussex County Republican Committee as well as on the board of Winning Women. Phyllis was a Delaware state delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention.
Beyond her professional achievements, Phyllis was a woman of many interests and talents. She had a deep appreciation for the beauty of life, which was reflected in her love for the Lincoln Rose. She found joy in singing songs during drives with her husband, Tom, and family members in their navy blue or white Cadillacs, creating lasting memories filled with laughter and love. Family gatherings were a special highlight of her life, as she thrived on entertaining and making every occasion memorable. Her gourmet cooking brought warmth to the table, and her trademark dishes will be missed by all who had the pleasure of enjoying them.
Phyllis had a fondness for the finer things in life, including her favorite Norell perfume and Vitabath, which always left a lingering scent of joy and comfort. A true lover of games, she cherished the moments spent playing Candy Land with her nieces and nephews, nurturing their imaginations with her delightful spirit. Her deck was often a sanctuary, where she could be found relaxing with a cold glass of chardonnay or a margarita, chatting amiably while admiring her vibrant boxes of petunias and pots of hibiscus.
She loved spending time boating with her husband, Tom, reveling in the sun and laughter while out on the water with family and her best friend, Sally Moser. She always had a plan. Her adventurous spirit and zest for life were infectious, drawing people in with her wonderful imagination and dry humor. She was always willing to lend a hand or offer a kind word, a constant source of love and strength.
Phyllis is survived by her brothers, A. Marshall McCommons (Carol) of Lutz, Fla., and Jack McCommons (Rhonda) of Elkton, Md.; sister, Carol M. Swyka (Bobby) of Chesapeake City, Md.; many adoring nieces and nephews and their families; and dear friends near and far.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis is preceded in death by her loving husband, Col. Thomas D. Byrne; her sisters, Jayne M. Foard, Joanne M. Ernst, Mary (Tish) Stawikey and Dora McCommons; and her brothers, Perry McCommons and Douglas McCommons.
A Celebration of Phyllis’ Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 1, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, where family and friends may begin visiting at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to Bethel United Methodist Church and sent in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home P.A., P.O. Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911.
To send an online condolence, visit rtfoard.com.
